Fragrance Junkie Central

[Mochapj]

I know there are a few of us on BT that are fragrance addicts, so I thought it would be nice to have a dedicated place where we can share our thoughts.

This is not to take away from the lovely What Are You Wearing Today, Fragrance Edition thread, but more a place to post longer reviews, chat about new brands or releases, and just shoot the breeze on anything good and smelly 🙂

For me, I recently acquired 2 new decants that I've been anxiously awaiting.  Ever since Lachaton mentioned that MMM was releasing a new scent called By The Fireplace I've been itching to get my hands on it.  My decant arrived yesterday, so I'm looking forward to marinating in it this weekend.  Secondly, I recently picked up a tiny sample of Shiseido Nombre Noir.  Supposedly it is one of the most expensive failures in perfume history - made by Serge Lutens for Shiseido back in the 80s.  Of course, with a backstory like that, I was dying to get a sniff 😄

What's new on your scent radar?  Do tell!

 

[pocketvenus]

Thanks so much, @modernwarpaint - I'll give them a try 🙂 Solid perfumes are definitely easier to travel with too.

[sister13]

I need someone to help me with pros and cons for purchasing Tom Ford F*ing Fabulous. I am inclined to shun it for the cost, and for the fact that they won’t sample it. Nordstrom wouldn’t even let me spray it on my skin, which was a jerk move, and makes me not want to buy from Nordstrom at all. Except that I need to let my husband smell it, because I already bought Amber Absolute, which he can’t stand. It I bought it anyway beacause I loved it so much, so I can’t have two overpriced fragrances that I can only wear when he’s not around, haha.  And Neiman Marcus let me spray it on, but no sample, and they say no returns after opening it. But I really really really liked it on me! Anyway, just wondering what everyone thoughts are? @Mochapj, I read your initial review (thanks!) have your thoughts changed for better or worse on this one?

[pocketvenus]

I've also tried FF on my skin. I agree the manufactured hype is offputting. You're not the only one to have come across issues with testing. The first Ford SA I asked about it at Holt Renfrew said there was no tester. But then, a couple days later, I mentioned this to a different, non-Ford SA who told the Ford people to let me try it LOL. To be honest, for all that trouble, I've having difficulty remembering the drydown, so it wasn't really memorable for me. But I’m also suuuuuper picky when it comes to fragrance. And SAs always say they are down to the last two bottles of this and that, LOL. I got that line about the Jo Malone exclusives the other day, "only two left!" Honestly!

If one simply loves a scent and has the disposable cash, I see nothing wrong with spending on a considerable markup that is not matched with increased quality. Because I live in Canada, I had to put up with a ridiculously painful markup on the Malles I bought but so be it!! We live in a market-based society in which the retail value of a good is largely alientated from its quality, longevity and other factors. However, if you are not in love with FF, there are many excellent fragrances being made that are so creative and beautiful, all available at a much lower price point. And they’ll be free of these silly elitist marketing gimmicks. @sister13

[Mochapj]

@sister13 wow, that's a total d*ck move on the part of Nords. I feel like TF is trying to manufacture hype with these silly tactics. When I was at counter a few weeks ago checking out the SS18 collection I noticed they had FF again and asked if it had been added to the permanent line. The SA immediately tried to talk me into buying a decanter (when I mentioned I already had a bottle) because once it's gone, it's gone and I have pre-sold 2 of our 3 decanters already. As someone with a fairly robust scent wardrobe, I haven't liked any TF enough to buy a decanter yet and the sliminess of the hard sell totally turned me off.

Anyway... my opinions of it haven't changed much. I do enjoy it quite a bit but I find it to be a scent for when I'm in a particular mood.  One thing I like about it is that it has such tenacity but not a ton of projection; I strongly dislike being the person someone can smell before they've entered the room. I haven't noticed much of a change in the notes I detect when wearing it, but I've mostly been wearing it during very cold weather. I have noticed in the dozen or so times since my initial review that it is consistently strong enough with one spritz that I still smell it on myself the next morning. In the past 2 weeks I've been playing around with cocktailing it with some of my other TF scents (I particularly like it mixed with Noir de Noir).

If none of the department stores are letting you get a sample and you think you *may* want a bottle, there's always the decant route from a place like Perfumed Court, Surrender to Chance, Luckyscent, etc. It's probably cheaper in the long run to do that than to blind buy and potentially have your husband dislike an expensive bottle again. 😄

[blackkitty2014]

@Mochapj, since you mentioned Noir de Noir. Is it a yay or nay? It is on my wishlist. I smell it before and remember liking it but I don’t have tester/sample to test out wear time.

[Mochapj]

@blackkitty2014 on me it is one of the longer wearing TF; I can still smell it fairly strongly at the end of the day, and I'm usually only a one spritz kinda gal.

I like a lot of the heavier, spicier TF scents and NdN is no exception in that respect. I sort of consider it like Black Orchid on steroids 😄

Out of the gigantic range that TF has these days, it's one of the few FS bottles of his that I own.

[Mochapj]

Looks like Histoires des Parfums is adding 2 new scents to the Not A Blue Bottle range:

[veronika23]

Wow! I love the design on those bottles!!!

[Mochapj]

Upcoming Jo Malone release

[pocketvenus]

I tried these today. Overall, they impart a very warm, light and hazy effect. Jo Malones tend to be very sheer and luminous; these were still minimalist but all the notes derived from grains had a softening (glutenous?) effect that added opacity. Like a wash of pastel gouaches instead of a wash of vibrant watercolours. I’ll post more about the individual scents I tested on skin to the Challenge thread.

[modernwarpaint]

The Honey & Crocus smells just like when you first walk into Target.  lol  

I like the Poppy & Barley and Greenwheat & Meadowsweet.  The rest are just 'eh' for me.  Not sure if I'll purchase from this line because it's limited, but we'll see. 

[modernwarpaint]

I tried these again this past weekend, just to see if they could change my mind.  And again, not too impressed.  They are generally very oaty or grainy.  My favorites of the bunch are still the same.  Primose & Rye was actually not bad, just not for me. 

The Oat one and the Honey & Crocus are both very underwhelming and have too much of an 'oatmeal', grainy vibe that doesn't sit well on my skin.  I am going to stick with the permanent line... yet I'm sort of shying away from though, just because I've tried all the permanent line, and sort of bored with it.  I only really wear WS&SS, Wild Bluebell, and Blackberry & Bay.  I'm becoming more of a Diptyque fan because their line is a little more complex than JM and offer EDT & EDP, and comparable pricing. 

[pocketvenus]

Jo Malone works if you want a very sheer effect but agreed, for the price point, I find it is a lot to pay. I also prefer Diptyque for the same reason but I do like stronger scents @modernwarpaint

[Samtian]

@Mochapj Sounds intriguing. 

[pocketvenus]

Spotted on the Two Faced thread - fragrance releases: https://community.sephora.com/t5/Brand-Loyal/Too-Faced-New-Releases/m-p/2500873#M11009

Thanks to @veronika23 for the tip off!

[whitepolkydots]

@pocketvenus I wonder if that left one will smell like the peach collection..

Peach primer -> Cologne strength

+ Peach Foundation -> EDT strength

+ Peach Powder -> EDP strength

+ Peach Perfume --> EDP Strength .. for a week!

[blackkitty2014]

Does anybody know the difference between Diptyque Do Son EDT vs EDP? 

[pocketvenus]

I tried these both and would say the EDP is darker and earthier while the EDT is sweeter, and to me, smells more cheerful. The dry down was incredibly musky for both. @blackkitty2014

[whitepolkydots]

@blackkitty2014 they smell very different to me! I have Do Son EDT and on my skin, it's a slightly-warm floral with no hints of notes from other families (spice/citrus/etc). If I use it as a room scent, it pulls a bit greener/crisper, but perfumes generally do that for me.

The EDT makes me think "tuberose" while the EDP makes me think "iris, musk, spice, etc." ... deeper, more complex notes. It's also overall a lot stronger and really packs a PUNCH compared to the EDT. 

[blackkitty2014]

Thx you so much for the response @whitepolkydot and @pocketvenus. I ordered EDP but I have a feeling that I will like the EDT more. Which one that you prefer? I think the bottle will come with the matching sample so I can always return/exchange without breaking the seal.

[whitepolkydots]

@blackkitty2014 I think I'm the exact opposite of @pocketvenus 😛 so I strongly prefer the EDT. I'm a fan of lighter floral/citrusy scents and tuberose/jasmine in general. I love that Diptyque includes a mini vial.. I hope that helps you decide 😄